NH bill makes gun licenses optional

CONCORD, N.H. — The Senate is voting Wednesday whether to make permits to carry concealed, loaded guns anyplace where gun possession is legal optional in New Hampshire.

Gun owners could still get permits so they could travel to states with reciprocal permit agreements. The bill also would increase from four to five years the length of time a permit is valid. The bill would make it legal to transport unlicensed guns.

A Senate amendment proposes allowing people to have guns in their homes and place of business even if they are prohibited from carrying them for other reasons, such as being a felon, which may conflict with federal law.